Make You Beg

Turning a corner, I spot Lacey coming for me. Motherfucker!

“Law?” She gasps, coming up to me. “Law, is it true?” Her bottom lip trembles, and her watery eyes beg me to tell her no. “I saw the news …”

“She’s gone, Lace.” I choose to say, knowing I can’t be honest with her. I refuse to put any other woman in danger until I know what the fuck is going on. She begins to cry, and I adjust my backpack on my shoulder.

“Does this have to do with the other guy?” she whispers.

I grip her arm and yank her into the nearest empty classroom. “What the fuck did you just say?”

She sniffs. “The other guy. In the chapel on Halloween night, Nicholas asked Steve if he knew what they were doing. Steve told him, he set it up …”

“What the fuck?” I hiss. “Why didn’t you fucking tell me that?”

“I … I told Henley …”

“When?” I snap.

“The following day when I came over,” she cries.

Why didn’t my little doll fucking say something to me about it? If I would have known that, I could have prevented this. I would have been more protective. More alert of the severity of the situation. I didn’t know someone else was involved at that time.

“I’m sorry.” She buries her tear-streaked face in her hands. I shove open the door, leaving her in the classroom pissed at her and myself.

The day seemed to have taken forever to go by, and practice kicked my already beaten down ass. By the time I get home, I drag my ass upstairs and come to a stop in the hallway. I look from her door to mine.

I find myself stepping toward hers. I reach for her door and close my eyes, turning her door handle. I open the door but can’t bring my eyes to open. To confirm that she’s left me.

I close it and place my forehead on it, taking in a deep breath. I release it and take a step back, heading toward my door. But I can’t. I swing around and shove open her door. It hits the interior wall with a bang and goes to close, but my arm shoots out, stopping it.

Stepping inside, I look over the empty room. Her laptop that sat on her nightstand is gone. Her favorite blanket that her dad got her last Christmas is gone. The sheets and comforter have been stripped from the bed. No doubt being washed and replaced in case someone else were to take her room.

My chest tightens. A room that once was empty now holds so many memories and heartache.

I walk inside and look around, feeling the coldness of her absence. I can’t even smell her in here anymore.

“It was for the best.” I hear her father behind me.

I spin around to face him. He stands, leaning against the doorframe. His eyes sweep over the empty room. A look of sadness covering his features.

“If you care about her as much as you make her believe, then you’d know that.” Then he pushes off and walks away.

I pull out my cell and send a message to Monroe.

Me: Want to get fucked up?

I ignored him at school today, but I can’t stay here. I can’t sit in my room across the hall where she once was, not knowing when I’ll see her next.

Monroe: Yeah.

Me: On my way.

CHAPTER FIFTY

HENLEY

THE THING ABOUT having parents who hate each other is that you can use it to your advantage.

“Thanks.” I pay the Uber driver as I pull up to the house.

“Anytime,” he calls out before he drives away.

I stand in front of the three-story house and let out a long breath. It’s felt like years since I’ve been here. A lifetime ago. I drag the one suitcase behind me and up the stairs. My father dropped me off at the private airport two hours ago. I didn’t say goodbye, and he didn’t speak to me. I know a part of him is disappointed in me. And for once, I don’t care about letting him down. I needed to do this for me. Not him.

I open the front door and step inside the house. The smell of smoke still lingers from the explosion. The best part about my father moving in with Lisa is that he’s never here at our old house. My luggage may be on its way to Switzerland, but I’m sure as hell not.

I wasn’t going to let him send me away again.

Shutting the door, I make my way up the stairs and to my bedroom. It looks the same as it did the last night I spent here.

I flip the light switch to make sure he hasn’t turned the electricity off and smile when it works. I walk into my bathroom and unpack the single Louis Vuitton bag I chose to keep that has my bathroom stuff in it.